Japan’s ‘Yoko’ Wins Golden Goblet Prize At Shanghai Film Festival

Yoko

The Japanese drama feature Yoko won the Golden Goblet Best Picture Award at the Shanghai International Film Festival.

Directed by Kumakiri Kazuyoshi, Yoko takes the structure of a road trip of self-discovery of a socially isolated woman for many years. Portrayed by global actress Rinko Kikuchi (Babel, 47 Ronin), the woman must confront the real world and herself when she takes a 658-kilometer cross-country journey alongside her cousin to her father’s funeral. Without a cell phone or the money for public transport, she must hitchhike for the journey.

Yoko also won Best Screenplay in addition to Best Picture. Kikuchi's performance also earned her the Shanghai Film Festival's best actress prize. The movie, in which Odagiri Joe also has a role, will be commercially released in Japan at the end of July under the title 658km, Yoko no Tabi.

China’s Liu Jiayin also won Best Director for All Ears. The female director was behind notable hybrid documentaries Oxhide and Oxhide II in 2005 and 2009, respectively. All Ears follows the life of a man who writes eulogies for people’s funerals and, in researching other people’s lives, finds meaning in his own. The film has backing from award-winning filmmaker Cao Baoping and stars Hu Ge (The Wild Goose Lake). Production is by Alibaba Pictures with international sales handled by Rediance.